A multinational recovery operation was launched after an armoured recovery vehicle became submerged in a peat bog at a training area near Pabradė, Lithuania, prompting an intensive search for four U.S. Army soldiers. U.S. and Lithuanian authorities coordinated on the scene, and a U.S. Navy dive team from Commander, Task Force 68 joined efforts to assess and perform diving operations as engineers worked to recover the vehicle and personnel. Subsequent searches recovered three soldiers before teams located a fourth; by early April all four missing soldiers were found deceased. The incident drew immediate attention from NATO and senior officials as recovery and investigative procedures continued.
What happened and where
At a training site near Pabradė, close to Lithuania’s border with Belarus, an M88 Hercules recovery vehicle was found submerged in a peat bog. The vehicle was located after a search on March 26, 2025, and recovery teams on subsequent days focused on draining and excavating the bog to reach the armoured vehicle and determine the fate of the soldiers who had been conducting a maintenance mission when the incident occurred. The site is a long-used military training area and required coordinated civilian and military logistics given the difficult terrain and environmental conditions at the peat bog.
Initial response and search scope
Initial search efforts involved Lithuanian emergency services, local defence units, and U.S. Army personnel, and quickly scaled to include aerial searches, ground units and dive teams due to the vehicle’s submerged location. Helicopters, engineering units, and multinational search teams were deployed to drain water and create access for recovery. Polish engineers and other allied personnel provided specialist equipment and manpower to support the complex extraction operation.
U.S. Navy dive team deployment
Members of Commander, Task Force 68, a U.S. Navy dive team, arrived at the Pabradė site on March 29 to assess and begin diving operations in support of the recovery. Their work complemented the efforts of local Lithuanian divers and engineers who had been working to stabilize the scene and enable safe access to the submerged vehicle. The dive team conducted underwater assessments and assisted in planning how to secure and lift the vehicle while mitigating environmental and safety risks for recovery personnel.
Technical challenges of peat bog recovery
Peat bogs present unique complications for recovery operations: saturated, low-visibility waters, soft sediments that can trap heavy vehicles, and ecological constraints that affect excavation and pumping. Rescue and recovery teams needed specialized pumps to lower water levels, shoring to stabilize the working area, and precise diving procedures to operate safely in cold, turbid water. These conditions demanded coordination between divers, engineers, and heavy equipment crews to prevent further shifting of the vehicle and to preserve any remains for forensic examination.
Progress of recovery operations and findings
On March 31, Lithuanian officials and U.S. military spokespeople reported that three of the four missing soldiers had been recovered from the site and found deceased; search efforts continued for the fourth soldier. The vehicle’s discovery and the subsequent excavation efforts led to the recovery of the three bodies, and teams continued to work around the clock to locate the remaining servicemember. By April 1, officials confirmed the fourth soldier had also been found deceased at the training site.
Official statements and clarifications
Initial communications about the soldiers’ status included conflicting public remarks, prompting NATO and other bodies to clarify that early statements did not replace ongoing investigative and recovery work. NATO issued clarifications after a high-level comment that prematurely suggested the soldiers had died, underscoring that official confirmation depended on recovery and identification procedures. U.S. Army and Lithuanian defence officials emphasized that search and recovery remained an operational priority while respecting the families and legal steps required for identification and notification.
Who was involved: forces and agencies
U.S. military
The response included U.S. Army elements from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and support from U.S. Army Europe infrastructure, with specialized assistance from a U.S. Navy dive team (CTF-68). Military police, search-and-rescue dogs, and engineering detachments aided the operation to find and recover personnel and the immobilized armoured vehicle.
Lithuanian and allied support
Lithuanian defence forces coordinated on site with local emergency services, while Polish engineers and other allied personnel supplied heavy engineering equipment and expertise to help drain and excavate the bog. Lithuanian political and defence leaders visited the site as the operation unfolded, reflecting the high political and military significance of the incident in a geopolitically sensitive border region.
Human impact and family notification
U.S. military protocol for notifying next of kin was followed as remains were recovered and identified. Officials communicated that they were coordinating with families and that identification would proceed through standard medical examiner and military casualty-notification processes. Leaders from both the U.S. and Lithuania expressed condolences and commended the multinational rescue forces for their determined recovery effort under difficult conditions.
Technical and procedural takeaways
Investigators and military safety offices typically examine such incidents to determine causation — whether environmental conditions, mechanical failure, visibility, procedural deviation, or a combination of factors contributed to the loss of life and vehicle submersion. Subsequent safety reviews examine training practices, equipment condition, route planning within training areas, weather and ground-condition advisories, and whether emergency extraction procedures were followed and sufficient for the environment.
Key procedural lessons often reviewed after such incidents
- Terrain assessment: Thorough pre-mission reconnaissance of peat bogs and swampy terrain is critical. Teams must evaluate ground bearing capacity and waterlogged areas to avoid routes where heavy vehicles can become entrapped.
- Vehicle load and recovery planning: Recovery missions carry inherent risk, so planning and available recovery assets should match the environmental hazard. Using appropriate winches, anchor points, and coordination reduces the likelihood of secondary incidents.
- Communication and command control: Clear chains of command and real-time communication between recovery teams, supervising officers, and safety personnel limit confusion in dynamic situations.
- Environmental mitigation: Given peat bog fragility, recovery methods must balance speed with environmental protection and worker safety when pumping or excavating waterlogged sites.
- Medical and casualty protocols: Rapid access for medical evacuation and casualty care, and prompt identification procedures, are essential to both save lives and ensure accurate next-of-kin notification.
Broader context and diplomatic sensitivity
The exercise and subsequent incident occurred in a region where NATO forces maintain a visible presence to deter aggression and reassure allies along NATO’s eastern flank. The proximity to Belarus and the wider security environment in Europe meant the incident attracted international attention beyond a standard training accident, generating statements of condolence and emphasizing alliance solidarity.
Transparency and investigation
Military and allied authorities signalled their commitment to a thorough investigation. These investigations typically involve coordination among national military safety centers, host-nation authorities, and international liaison officers where operations involved multiple allied contingents. Findings may be used to update procedures and training standards to prevent reoccurrence.
Community and official reactions
Political leaders and defence officials issued condolences and praised the multinational response. Local communities near Pabradė watched as recovery operations continued; the scene drew military leadership and reinforced the high stakes of training activities in challenging terrain. International media closely tracked the developments given the combination of allied personnel, the difficult recovery environment, and the sensitive regional context.
What comes next: investigation and memorialization
Following recovery and identification, official investigations determine facts and recommended safety changes. The U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities will coordinate on incident reports, and any subsequent policy or training adjustments will be communicated through formal channels. Families and units typically receive support services, and memorials or formal remembrances may be organized to honor the fallen soldiers.
Conclusion
The recovery operation near Pabradė was a complex, multinational effort involving U.S. Army personnel, Lithuanian defence forces, allied engineers, and a specialized U.S. Navy dive team working under challenging peat-bog conditions. The operation recovered four soldiers who tragically died in the incident. Authorities emphasized careful recovery, identification, and investigation procedures and pledged to examine operational lessons to reduce risks in future training. The incident underscored both the hazards of heavy vehicle recovery in difficult terrain and the depth of allied cooperation during emergency response and search operations.
